He cited the country’s strongest performance since joining the assessment in 2018, with score increases of 20 points in reading, 17 points in science, and 16 points in mathematics compared with those in 2022.

Marcos described education as the administration’s top priority, noting the highest ever education budget in the country’s history.

He attributed the PISA gains to the collective effort of teachers, parents, schools, local governments, and partners, alongside government programs including the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program.

He also referenced the hiring of 10,000 school counselor associates to strengthen mental health and psychosocial services.

While welcoming the progress, Marcos acknowledged that the Philippines still has significant ground to cover relative to regional and global peers.

28 September

Education reforms bear fruit

The President attributed the country’s improved performance in the 2025 PISA to reforms implemented in the education sector.

He highlighted this in his talk at the Recognition of PISA Participating Schools and Education Partners held at the President Corazon “Cory” C. Aquino National High School in Pasay City.

Filipino students’ scores increased by 20 points in reading, 17 points in science, and 16 points in mathematics. Marcos said the years of consistent guidance, encouragement, and support from teachers, families, schools, communities, and partners led to the achievement.

More school counselors

President Marcos said the ARAL program helps learners from Kindergarten to Grade 10 to catch up in reading, mathematics, and science.

The Department of Education is mandated to implement the program as a targeted learning recovery initiative that provides structured academic support to learners needing intervention in critical subject areas, particularly Reading, Science and Mathematics.

The President said the government is making schools safer by hiring 10,000 school counselor associates for the current school year, amid concerns over incidents of violence in schools.

29 September

Queens of ASEAN

As part of the country’s ASEAN chairship this year, Marcos on Tuesday called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations members to expand women’s participation in leadership and decision-making, stressing that women must be at the center of the region’s drive toward greater security, resilience and inclusive prosperity under the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

Welcoming delegates to the 4th ASEAN Women Leaders Summit at the EDSA Shangri-La in Mandaluyong City, President Marcos said the region must ensure that women are not merely beneficiaries of development but are active leaders in shaping policies, institutions and investments.

Put words into action

The President urged ASEAN governments to translate the commitments reached during the recent summit into concrete policies, programs, and budgetary decisions.

He called for stronger ASEAN action against gender-based violence in online spaces as the region continues to expand its digital economy and connectivity.

He said the Philippines supports developing regional digital frameworks to protect women and girls and ensure online spaces remain areas of opportunity rather than oppression.

Marcos also highlighted the vital role of women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in driving inclusive economic growth across Southeast Asia, as the Philippines pushes stronger support for women entrepreneurs under its ASEAN chairship.

10 model servants

The President honored teachers and members of the military and police as frontliners in nation-building, saying their dedication to public service has helped strengthen institutions and improve the lives of Filipinos.

Speaking at the awarding of the Medallion of Excellence to the 2026 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos, he recognized the ten awardees for their years of service and sacrifice in education, the military, and the police.

COMPASS activated

Mr. Marcos institutionalized the Centralized Open Monitoring Platform for Appropriations and Spending Statistics (COMPASS) Portal to strengthen transparency and accountability in spending government funds.

Under Executive Order 126, the President instructed COMPASS to serve as the government’s unified, publicly accessible digital platform for information on government budgets, expenditures, procurement, program and project performance, and other transparency-related data.

Cavite zone expanded

A proclamation designating additional parcels of land to expand the country’s existing economic zone in Cavite was issued.

Proclamation 1460 provides several parcels of land located in Barangay Sta. Rosa I in Noveleta for inclusion in Cavite Economic Zone II, pursuant to Republic Acts 7916 and 8748, and upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.

30 September

Land valuation reforms strengthened

Administrative Order 49, reconstituting the inter-agency governing board overseeing the Local Governance Reform Project (LGRP), was issued to strengthen reforms in property valuation and assessment, improve local tax administration, and build local government assessors’ capacity.

The AO reconstituted the Inter-Agency Governing Board (IGB) to provide policy direction and oversight for completing the government’s local governance reform initiatives.

The LGRP, a joint government initiative through the Department of Finance, the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), and the Asian Development Bank, seeks to reform property valuation policies, establish digital tax databases, improve LGU tax administration, and strengthen the capabilities of local assessors.

Mentors honored

Recognizing the contributions of Filipino teachers to nation-building, Mr. Marcos promised to ensure school safety and improve teachers’ professional development that will ultimately benefit learners.

In his address during the Teacher Education Council’s National Teachers Month 2026 Celebration, he said these efforts were evident in the administration’s approach, such as the Teacher Education Roadmap 2035 and the scholarship program for the Teacher Education Centers of Excellence.

The President said the launch of My Teacher Education Commons (MyTEC) creates more opportunities for teachers to continue learning and growing throughout their careers.

Mile-Long back with PMO

Mr. Marcos signed Administrative Order 50 reverting the administration and management of the Mile-Long property in Makati City to the Privatization and Management Office (PMO) to facilitate its disposition and optimize the value of the government asset.

The property was transferred to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) under Administrative Order 21 issued in 2020.

The 22,924-square-meter property is located in the Makati Central Business District and is registered under the national government. The move aims to make better use of public assets, strengthen fiscal space, and support priority development programs.

1 October

New Japan envoy

The President received the credentials of Japanese Ambassador Kitagawa Katsuro in a ceremony at Malacañang followed by a brief meeting to take stock of the robust relations between the two countries.

Ambassador Katsuro has held several senior positions in Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including as Director-General of the European Affairs Bureau and Director-General of the Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department. He likewise served in Japanese diplomatic missions in France and the Republic of Korea.

France presents legate

Mr. Marcos also received the credentials of French Ambassador Donatienne Hissard on the same occasion. Hissard presented her credentials at the Reception Hall before meeting with the President in the Study Room.

She has served as Chief Executive Officer of Campus France since April 2022, previously held several posts at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and also served as Second Counselor and Deputy Permanent Representative of France to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome from 2012 to 2016.

2 October

School feeding intensified

President Marcos visited Patul Elementary School in Santiago City, Isabela, to inspect the implementation of the Home-Grown School Feeding modality under the School-Based Feeding Program and promote learner well-being.

The President, joined by Education Secretary Sonny Angara, interacted with the elementary school children and helped distribute food in a classroom.

The Home-Grown School Feeding under the School-Based Feeding Program is anchored on RA 11037 or the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act. The program provides hot meals that cover at least 30 percent of the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake, using ingredients sourced directly from local smallholder farmers.

School personnel boosted

The President also graced the mass oath-taking ceremony of 4,125 newly promoted and newly hired education personnel of the Department of Education in Cagayan Valley as the government continues to expand career advancement opportunities in the public education sector.

More ayuda released

Capping the week, President Marcos ordered the release of a P3-billion budget for fuel subsidies, benefiting about 300,000 farmers, fisherfolk, and drivers hauling agricultural produce as part of a package of assistance to help the agriculture sector cope with the coming El Niño and the lingering high fuel prices.